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The ‘love-hate’ relationship between Gophers stars Anthony Smith, Greg Johnson
The two future NFL players have battled for four years, and both landed on preseason watch lists after strong 2025 seasons.
- Minnesota Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith and offensive lineman Greg Johnson have battled in practice for four years, maintaining a "love-hate relationship" that keeps both players sharp on and off the field.
- Both enter the season with significant preseason accolades: Smith appears on Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists, while Johnson earned the Outland Trophy preseason watch list for the nation's best interior lineman.
- Johnson registered at No. 66 on The Athletic's preseason top 100 list and has amassed nearly 2,000 snaps with pass blocking grades reaching 80.1 in 2025; Smith led the Big Ten with 12 sacks last season.
- Head coach P.J. Fleck describes the pair as "very competitive people," noting that power and physicality drive practice intensity; tense sessions serve the betterment of each other, the teammates emphasize.
- Smith returned to improve his draft stock by adding speed moves to his pass-rush arsenal, while Johnson continues anchoring the left guard position as both aim to validate their preseason accolades.
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left0Leaning Right5Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
C 55%
R 45%
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